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FIFA World Cup
Germany 2006
Humble Rosicky
Reuters, Gelsenkirchen

Tomas Rosicky scored twice in the Czech Republic's World Cup opener with the United States on Monday and then said he was no great goalscorer.

With key strikers Jan Koller and Milan Baros both injured, however, midfielder Rosicky may just have to become one.

The Czechs beat the U.S. 3-0, helped by Rosicky's goals, one of them a fine swerving shot from 25 metres.

"Of course, I'm no great shooter... but I tried and today it worked. Three would probably have been too many," he told reporters.

Coach Karel Brueckner was forced to abandon his usual 4-4-2 formation and play Koller as a lone striker after Baros failed to recover from a foot injury that had stopped him training over the past week.

Just before halftime Koller was carried off on a stretcher with what Brueckner said initially was a serious injury.

The Czech team spokesman later said a hospital scan showed no major damage to his hamstring.

The problems facing the two top strikers will put pressure on midfielders like Rosicky to push forward more in their remaining Group E games against Ghana and Italy.

The Czechs have a wealth of talent to draw on in midfield, including former European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved.

"I don't need to say anything about Pavel ... he is still one of the best players in Europe," said Brueckner.

The team still features most of the players that reached the Euro 2004 semifinals but the media has expressed concern that with three-quarters of the midfield over 30 they are past it.

That view did not hold up against the United States and the coach certainly does not agree with the commentators.

"Our team is not getting old," Brueckner said.

With younger talent like 25-year-old Rosicky in the team, age does not seem to be a problem.

Brueckner also had a few words for Rosicky's new club, Premier League Arsenal, who signed him just before the tournament started.

"I would like to congratulate Arsenal on getting such a player," he said.

Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against USA in Gelsenkirchen on Monday. PHOTO: AFP